How to Play the "Bo Diddley Beat" Guitar Strum Pattern

The "BO DIDDLEY BEAT" is a classic rhythm guitar strumming pattern that can be found in numerous songs that span the decades of rock and roll history, including "Willie and the Hand Jive", "Not Fade Away", "Faith", "Who Do You Love?", "Black Horse and Cherry Tree" and "Desire". Learning to strum this classic pattern will not only help you find your true Bo Diddley groove, but it will help deepen the groove in all of your strum patterns!
✅ NOTE: Even though the video says that there is a full lesson on the website, the site has changed and the lesson is gone. However if you'd like information on how to schedule a one-on-one, private ONLINE GUITAR LESSON WITH ME, contact me through ➡️ www.jimbowley.com
📓 NOTES AND TIME STAMPS 🕑
0:00 - Introduction
0:42- The Golden Rule of Strumming and "Flicking Water"
"Flicking Water" strum technique: • My BEST Tip for How to...
1:51 - Bo Diddley Beat Measure 1 (D DU UD)
4:12 - Bo Diddley Beat Measure 2 (UD D)
5:34 - Easy example with G and C chords
6:05 - Applying left hand muting to bring out the groove
9:25 - Example: "Black Horse And The Cherry Tree"
10:42 - Example: "Desire" and Eb tuning
13:30 - Thanks and where to find more lessons
🎸 PRO TIP: Try the Bo Diddley Beat with some random chords to practice your chord changes while you work on the guitar strum!
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[@BaronTurco]

I don't know, but I've been told, Bo Diddley put the rock in rock and roll.

[@fabiopunk1661]

a real professional lessons - unlike many "teachers" found on the web. It will help me drift from rock / punk to blues maybe. Also, nice tips on muting open chords, that was a mystery to me. Now I need only to practice for a few years....

[@kathleennelson3689]

0:00- Start 0:42- JB's Golden Rule of Strumming 1:51 - Bo Diddley Beat 1st Measure (D DU UD) 4:12 - Bo Diddley Beat 2nd Measure (UD D) 5:34 - Example with G & C 6:05 - Left Hand Muting 9:25 - KT Tunstall - "Black Horse And The Cherry Tree" (e B7) 10:42 - U2 - "Desire" (DAEAE) 13:29 - Thanks and where to get more Great tutorial. I have to review parts of the video several times. It would be awesome to copy this into the description for people like me.

[@Meyers1793]

OMG. I learned more from this 13:51 min video than from all of elementary school music classes.

[@tonymoran9794]

I've been playing this rhythm for YEARS... but never really knew what I was doing as far as beats and measures. ...so thanks for that!

[@noverrr4508]

How soon is now by the smiths shows how to use this beat in a different way

[@fendergibson5222]

Best available lesson on the subject...clear and easy to understand...

[@markcastrovinci6074]

I've watched this video several times over the years. It is just a great tutorial on the Bo Diddley beat. Thanks.

[@biggy5567]

Very good lesson. Well explained, And I like the way you break down everything slowly, and then put it all together. Good job.

[@noahclark8335]

i learnt from actually watching bo diddley when i started 9 years ago... it's the proper way..

[@nnarimanov]

Thanks Jim, you made this difficult stuff very simple

[@MrRockmeister1]

I am a full time guitar instructor from Canada and I must say, I am very impressed with your teaching technique. This is a video that pretty well anyone could understand and learn from. I especially like the way you explain "shaking water from your hand"., I am always looking for new ways to explain concepts as I think teachers need to learn as much as their students do. The world needs great guitar teachers and I believe that you are one of them. Cheers to you.

[@IsaacAsimov1992]

I agree with all you say.

[@shannongilmourpeersupport]

I am a beginner- beginner player... and wow! THank you... I was able to play along with you with the strings muted. You make it look easy and your teaching style... Awesome. I'm following you now man! THANKS!

[@LindaChorney]

teaching my student...and we stumbled upon your video...thank you!

[@kimheaslip3352]

Great lesson! Thanks for clarifying this strum pattern.

[@rtrivanovic707]

Same as the Hand Jive by the Johnny Otis Show. This beat is everywhere in Rock n Roll.

[@JimBowleyGuitar]

Thanks so much for the kind words. And glad you enjoyed the lesson!

[@musicalbliues]

Refreshing tutoria.l>Plain language no nonsence down to earth coaching.Makes a change indeed ! Well done,bravo!

[@jimbowley5214]

Thanks much! Glad you liked it!

[@JimBowleyGuitar]

Glad you found the video helpful!

[@miguelbancos4235]

Hi Jim, great video, thank you! The "Bo Diddley beat" is also known in Cuban music as "Son clave" and is the fundamental rythmic pattern used in Son cubano and some other Afrocuban and Latin American music. I love the way it fits to rock´n roll too!

[@canesvenatici4259]

It probably came from the second line groove in New Orleans marching band drumming.

[@schopenhaur101]

"Well done a great lesson & well presented, the Bo didley "beat" is a ancient west AFRICAN rhythm & pattern & is the only thing to remember. His name is a one string AFRICAN instrument.

[@mjhanson77]

Great lesson. Good progression from simple to advanced. Thanks.

[@bobomeara]

Cheers mate. Wicked lesson!

[@IsaacAsimov1992]

Wow! A masterful presentation. You're a born teacher.

[@sherrykanaras]

Jim Bowley is a SUPERIOR teacher. He instructed my son for 3-4 years. Sadly, my son isn't as into the instrument as he used to be (he caught the football bug) but I know in my heart that the lessons instilled by JB-both guitar and life lessons- remain with my son until this very day. He is a tremendous person, immense skills, and I highly recommend him to anyone seeking guitar instruction. SK, Perryville MD

[@charlesklein9169]

Thanks for the lessons. You're a good teacher.

[@growtogether]

Thanks for all the lessons, I've learned a lot from you.

[@meghancary]

Really great lesson. You explained this so clearly but didn't belabor the point. Great teaching!

[@regryan8044]

Thanks jim. Great lesson

[@AndreyBassNotes]

Best guitar lesson ever!

[@brineb58]

Awesome demo!!!

[@xbeast666]

Nice lesson. Well explained...

[@neilwheldon1998]

what a great lesson thanks so easy to follow

[@waynecurrall8653]

G'day Jim, greetings from Down Under. Just wanted to say thanks for the lesson on the Bo Diddley beat. It's been a big help for me. Just taking "baby steps" at the minute, but I'm making progress.Thanks mate.CheersWayne

[@MikaelAndersson90]

Awesome teaching...as soon I get my first real guitar I'm gonna learn through you so keep up the good work :)

[@actuallyjutin]

hey thanks man, this was very helpful, I have been trying to learn new strum patterns and it's amazing how often I already do this without knowing it was The Bo Diddley Beat, the way you broke it down really helped, especially with the squeeze and release concept.

[@djangomango11]

Very Cool, and excellent presentation...

[@theapplepaul]

Best explanation on this yet. Thank you for recording a great lesson.

[@jamesrogers2963]

THANKS for a very helpful lesson, well taught and thorough...

[@TooBadJim]

Hi Jim, I,ve been jamming the BoDiddley beat by ear and on instinct for years, but it was great to have a clear, succinct and definitive theoretical explanation followed by a demonstration. I was watching a Bo Diddley video on youtube where Bo got behind the drums to show the session drummer the right way to do it - it is obviously easy to get this apparently simple beat wrong.

[@krisottem]

Thanks for making this video. Very helpful.

[@BrickBlacktoe]

Extremely helpful! Thank you!

[@RawBean98]

Thank you very much. This was just what I was looking for.

[@maryannmay7105]

Thank you so much. What a great video. You explained that really well.

[@jimbowley5214]

Thanks for the kind words, Maryanne - glad you enjoyed it!

[@jetcitysinatra7300]

I was listening to you play at about 7:24 and it reminded me to the intro to George Michael's song "Faith"

[@brocluno01]

Excellent 😊

[@prisonerofrnr]

nice lesson. Thanks

[@990rallen]

I know what i'll be playing tomorrow! great vid.

[@Marcus111147]

An excellent lesson. This guy knows how to teach!

[@jimbowley5214]

Thanks Marcus!

[@mistav2218]

Nice!

[@paul1060]

loved this lesson. see...now THIS is the way to teach a lesson. its not just a guy playing something straight through really fast and saying "ok, got it?'

[@dwightdart2990]

Thank you!

[@JimBowleyGuitar]

@MikaelAndersson90 Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. You keep coming back and I'll keep posting. And good luck on getting that new guitar. :)

[@jgonzaro]

super!!! from Chile

[@animeshnandi5486]

Great lesson...you should come back

[@MichaelCaliri]

GREAT!!

[@jamesbowen8960]

Bo Diddley said " There ain't but one cat that got my beat right on the guitar. It wasn't Clapton, it wasn't Page or Jeff Beck or Hendrix. It was Brian Jones from the Rolling Stones" Give a listen to the Stones cover of Mona ( I Need You, Baby). Incredible!

[@Max0Lydian]

Of course you're right- music is nothing without feeling- but for passing knowledge on, some description is necessary. As paul1060 said, "its not just a guy playing something straight through really fast and saying "ok, got it?'" Breaking something down can help not just getting that individual riff, but understanding where it comes from, and where you might go from there.

[@craigjeffs6733]

Top video.

[@rileyrussak7469]

my dads bestfriend is bo diddleys son this is really informational

[@Seekanddestroygames]

Amazing :) Learning particle physics seems easier than understanding how a master like Bo works.. Great video !

[@IsaacAsimov1992]

Yes. (I've tried both)

[@Meyers1793]

Now I understand why different arrangements of the same beat can sound different and fit different genres of music.

[@TheeMessia]

Thank you, good lesson. I have one question regarding the extra up stroke right before beat 2 in the second measure. It seems from your explanation that this is on the "one and". However, isn't it rather a 16th right before the 2?

[@mookytc]

Jim thanks for the great lesson. I am at the end beginner to early intermediate so perfect timing. Ironically I warm up with and noodle to the Desire chord progression and rhythm naturally while playing (without realizing so it was tucked away in my head somewhere). Been thinking of late where did that come from...that explains it (Desire). That is a more or less a I-V-II-V-II progression. What type of scale works well with that? Subscribed and Cheers!

[@JimBowleyGuitar]

And there are at least a handful of variations folks use! Thanks for the comment and rock on!

[@tonym994]

that guitar reminds me of my favorite bio-pic ',Bound for Glory'. David Carradine and Ronny Cox play old, but similar Gibsons .this was fun, thanx.the capo throws me off, being a creature of habit, never having use one .I have one, I should get it out .I'm an amateur.

[@Travelingman812]

Jonesy I really like your take on the Bo Diddley beat and I want to learn it. Its there someway I can contact you directly for some pointers? Thanks

[@Travelingman812]

Hey Jim, any idea what happened to Jonesy's tutorial on the Bo Diddly beat??

[@walteralter9061]

Basically what you got here, Mr. Diddly, is the Afro-Cuban son clave (or rhumba clave) rhythm, usually played on the clave sticks or cow bells. It can be played backwards (2-3 clave) or forwards (3-2) clave. Prolly already been mentioned below...

[@JimBowleyGuitar]

@paul1060 Thanks much! And I'll definitely start posting more "song lessons" in the future. Make sure to check out my website - plenty of free lessons there to get you going as well!

[@xkguy]

Jim What is the difference between Bo Diddley beat and Not Fade Away? They sound similar but I'm informed they are not the same. thanks

[@JimBowleyGuitar]

I don't know if that's as much of a compliment on the video as it is a sad commentary on your school music classes! But I'll take it - thanks and glad you liked it. jb

[@wolfcorpse]

Can you help me figure out the pattern and percussion for Marie's The Name (His Latest Flame) by Elvis

[@andystephenson5407]

Dude that kinda left hand mute came to me naturally after learning how to play the guitar . Dnt push yourself folks if you can't get something and you really want to learn it. Just take baby steps little pieces at a time

[@Sullaban]

I read a quote from Charles Mingus and it definitely applies to your Bo Diddley lesson. Mingus said "making the simple complicated is common. Making the complicated simple awesomely simple, that's creativity" Your lesson was way, way, way to complicated. Now here is what you do: Have your students find on the internet the lick the phrase "Shave and a hair cut (pause) two bits. Find that on the internet and go around singing it forever, and then apply it to the guitar, I really almost went crazy trying to follow your lesson. Thank you L. Chris Walker

[@TheKloteviool]

What guitar do you have there?

[@Meyers1793]

This makes me want to buy a guitar.

[@artuneas]

Hey Jim, I don't quite undertand which strokes to mute, is it possible for you to explain? Thanks a lot.

[@JimBowleyGuitar]

Artuneas, it's probably easier to think of it as "which strokes to hear". Barre chords are easiest for this. Use the "squeeze and release" method - squeeze the chord on the accents to hear them and release the pressure (not the entire chord) on everything else. The "released" chords will be the muted strokes. Using open chords presents its own issues as you'll have to flap your available fingers on the open strings (or rock your hand back) to mute them. Hope that helps!

[@artuneas]

Jim Bowley Thanks a lot for your answer. I appreciate it.

[@JimBowleyGuitar]

Glad you liked it! I find that "squeeze and release" is a fairly intuitive way for people to bring out the accents, and it applies to lots of different strums and songs. Getting those open strings muted is a much trickier deal, though! Keep an eye out for more strum lessons - jb

[@Turkey_Fart]

Mr. Brownstone!

[@paul1060]

why dont you do the lesson on the actual song "bo diddley" , chords and all. totally look forward to it. maybe road runner too ? ? plzzz

[@groupejanus1356]

Talk toi much is back again !

[@its1994x]

Guitar starts at 5:36...

[@MisterF_1984]

you're my personal hero

[@rafapistola1]

The "Bo Diddley beat" (1955) is derived from Latin rhythms, its super-important to not skip this very big fact...Its a type of 3-2 clave and the actual original release even had maracas on it. I read how an early "rejected cut recorded at the same session was titled only 'Rhumba' on the track sheets". Why not mention this origin? These rhythms have filled American music, even songs like "Ticket to Ride" have Habanera Latin rhythm bases. The Latin influence on general music goes way back from early jazz, to country and rock, through to funk and so on. Its "interesting" how this is not really mentioned...

[@jasminepearls1047]

Its african

[@ProdbyTrehnt]

the man credited bo didley so it's not like he's lying about anything. he's not a music history professor he's trying to teach us how to play guitar.

[@LenKenny]

I'm only half way through at the moment, but you're making it seem so easy. I'll let you know how I get on. Great lesson, thank you Jim from the world's worst guitarist.

[@skyntyte]

Problem is, if you learn it like this, you don't have it. Mr. Bowley IS right about the continuous stroke, but Bo Diddley taught me how to do it. Fret the accents and choke the rest. Once you master that, then divide the strings into sections based on their range. 1st down "emphasis stroke" is "usually" done on the low E(6), A(5), D(4), and G(3) strings. The 2nd up emphasis stroke is high E(1), B(2), and G(3) strings. The 3rd down "emphasis stroke" is low E(6), A(5), D(4), G(3), B(2), and E(1) strings. 4th down "emphasis stroke" is ALSO on the low E(6), A(5), D(4), and G(3) strings BUT is sustained. 5th down "emphasis stroke" is G(3), B(2), and high E(1) strings. Simplified: Down/ Up/ Down, Down/ Down. It is stroked in its entirety: Down up down/Up down up down up down up/Down up Down...OR get it the best way you can. I have Ellas' family's blessing and will be doing an informed tutorial with some of Bo's musical family members. He has a 5 year old great grandson that is playing drums as if he is an adult drummer. He also not only plays his Bo-pop's beat perfectly on the guitar BUT he ALSO takes his fretting hand off the Sebastopol-tuned guitar (and points when he sings while keeping his right hand strumming just like his grandfather used to do it.

[@APlaceForUtubes]

"Without further ado, the Bo Diddley beat" *further ado ensues*

[@wandasanders2003]

Please make a video of You can't judge a book by looking at the cover..

[@scottgreg7398]

The interesting aspect about this song is that the song entitled 'Bo Diddley' is a BEAT, not a guitar part, but in subsequent remakes, guitarists have tried to mimic the 'beat' on guitar. Interestingly enough, Buddy Holly did a cover version about one year after the original was released, and he did not mimic the beat on guitar, but allowed the drums to do what they do...to play the 'beat'. Buddy Holly probably recorded the best cover, as a result.

[@thesword2380]

Sounds like the "Jive Talkin'" Bee Gees syncopation. He said he got it from a bridges. Mqybe it is different.

[@LetArtsLive]

is this drop d?

[@keymaster430]

My favorite of all time..."Who Do You Love?". I love Bo's original version. But, IMO, George Thorogood is KICK ASS!

[@Annih1lateThis]

Check out this version kzbin.info/www/bejne/gom8mo2kZZuHhrs

[@lamper2]

so it's e minor?

[@kbob8424]

"well i guess it would be nice..... if i could touch...", oh sorry got caught up in the moment.

[@joemurrell2099]

I came to the comments just to make that joke

[@rickardagren935]

Yes RAa

[@northtone288]

Ok...stupid me, but why the capo? Somebody have an answer pls reply.

[@JimBowleyGuitar]

@MrRockmeister1 Wow! Thanks so much for the kind words - that really made my day! I'm not sure where I picked up the "flicking water" thing, since, like you, I'm always on the lookout for new ideas, but it stuck and it's a clear, memorable message for students. Again, very much appreciated, especially coming from another instructor. Please hit me up on Facebook (Jim Bowley or Jim Bowley - Guitar Instruction) - maybe we can exchange some ideas directly! Cheers, jb

[@SonofStLouis]

It’s a clave with strumming

[@Tifanieann]

ahh!

[@fredeagle8766]

sounds like johnny cash too . trains , on old tracks anyway.

[@brook316]

07:15 Oh I guess it would be nice...